Angkor Cycling Event Draws 1,300 Riders, Boosting Sports Tourism

SIEM REAP, Sept 21, 2026 (KPT) — Nearly 1,300 cyclists from Cambodia and abroad pedalled through the forests around Angkor Wat at the weekend, as the kingdom launched a new sports tourism event timed with the annual equinox, officials said Sunday. Tourism Minister Huot Hak opened the Angkor Equinox Cycling Event, organised with provincial authorities and the APSARA National Authority under the theme “Sports Connected with Tourism.” The 12‑kilometre route drew 1,299 participants, including visitors from France, Belgium, Germany, Japan and China, as well as influencers, private sector representatives and domestic tourists, the ministry said. The ride was staged as part of the wider Angkor Equinox festival from September 21‑23, when the sun aligns with the temple complex, and aimed to boost visitor numbers during the rainy season, traditionally a quieter period for Siem Reap. “The cycling event serves as a bridge connecting participants with cultural heritage and nature, while creating new tourism experiences,” Huot Hak said in a statement. He urged citizens and athletes to help promote Cambodia as “a safe, warm and hospitable destination,” and instructed officials to add the ride to the ministry’s annual calendar. The initiative follows campaigns to diversify beyond temple tourism, including “Visit Cambodia in the Green Season” and efforts to attract foreign film productions. Officials have repeatedly stressed safety and stability in outreach to visitors and investors this year, as Cambodia seeks to broaden its appeal and reinforce confidence in its tourism sector.